ELECTION 2021: West Norfolk Labour candidate urges party to learn lessons of losses

Labour's leadership needs to provide a more effective opposition following its losses in the local elections, according to one of its West Norfolk-based county council candidates.

Francis Bone was beaten into third place by the Green Party in Freebridge Lynn, while the party lost its one seat in the borough, and six across the county overall.

Mr Bone, who also served as an election agent, said it was too early for the party to consider a challenge to the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer.

But he added: "I don't think people have been satisfied we've put forward an alternative as an opposition. We've just agreed to a lot.

"I think people like to see you come up with an alternative solution. If not, you're just an ineffective opposition.

"At the moment, people are just happy with Boris despite his hideous wallpaper. That seems to get overlooked."

Asked whether Labour should, as some have argued, return to the kind of agenda put forward by Sir Keir's predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, he said: "I think we need to adopt some of it. But it's early days and a year is too short a time.

"We'll see next time, at the next elections, and how they pan out."

Although Labour remains the main opposition group at County Hall, it now has just 11 councillors, down from 17 after the 2017 elections.

There were some signs of hope for its supporters, as they only lost the Lynn North and Central seat to the Tories by 38 votes, although that is a traditional Labour stronghold.

They were also the closest challengers to the Conservatives in Gaywood North and Central and Gaywood South.

Mr Bone said: "I feel sad for the people of Norfolk, because it looks like there will be another Conservative majority and very little opposition to contest what they do."